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Reviews of...
High Fives, Pennant Drives, and Fernandomania:
A Fan's History of the Los Angeles Dodgers' Glory Years (1977-1981)
"With Vin Scully's broadcasts as a touchstone, Paul Haddad revives the glory years of the Dodgers. His recollections are as rich and wonderful as Scully himself."
-- Chris Erskine, Los Angeles Times
"Warm and fuzzy time! Paul's account is the shirt from the back of the closet that still fits and never goes out of style... Enjoyed it thoroughly."
-- Jerry Reuss, Dodger pitcher, 1979-1986
-- Jerry Reuss, Dodger pitcher, 1979-1986
"We never forget our first loves: whether it was a fresh-grilled Dodger Dog, a double bag of salted-in-the-shell peanuts or Tommy John’s bionic arm. All my adult life I’ve wondered if someone could bring back to life those wonderful days of a childhood lost to Vin Scully on the transistor radio and the team that dared you to believe, even when they crushed your heart. Now somebody has." -- Les Carpenter, Yahoo! Sports |
"An evocative, playful, exuberant tribute to the sunniest days of the Los Angeles Dodgers and to the unmatched purity, intensity, and hilarity of fandom as a child, High Fives, Pennant Drives, and Fernandomania is a crystal clear signal breaking through the static of fading memories and the distance of time. Reading it is like somehow finding your hometown team’s game on the radio while hundreds and hundreds of miles away."
-- Josh Wilker, author, Cardboard Gods
-- Josh Wilker, author, Cardboard Gods
"What Andy Strasberg's book Baseball Fantography can do for the game's fans
collecting and saving photographs, Haddad's book might inspire fans to go more
with their own personal recording devices, and add their own personal
stories. If only the fans could capture it as well and relay it as entertaining as
Haddad did here."
-- Tom Hoffarth, Los Angeles Daily News
Click here for full article.
"It will invoke warm nostalgia among those who were present, and it is a purposeful guide to others who may not realize how dominant radio broadcasts were now that we live in a time when you can purchase and watch the entire baseball season on your television, computer, phone, even a watch... Haddad has hit one out of the park."
-- Mike Terry, San Fernando Sun
Click here for full article.
-- Mike Terry, San Fernando Sun
Click here for full article.
"Great book!"
-- Steve Grad, KNX 1070 AM, CBS Radio
-- Steve Grad, KNX 1070 AM, CBS Radio
"As a fan of sharp writing, warm childhood memories, and all the visceral elements of baseball, this book left me exhilarated. As a die-hard Montreal Expos fan who'd love to never hear the name Rick Monday again, this book left me saddened and furious. I want to buy Paul Haddad a beer, shake his hand ... then punch him in the face." -- Jonah Keri, Grantland.com; author, The Extra 2% |
"Haddad explores one of America’s most important teams the way only a true fan can."
-- AirTalk, KPCC 89.3 FM
"If you bleed Dodger Blue and want to relive a championship time, this is an
ideal read -- breezy, funny and unsparing in its praise of the Blue Crew and its
criticism of all other teams."
-- Jim McConnell, Pasadena Star-News
"Haddad's sense of humor shines throughout the book, particularly when detailing
some of the low points of the hometown team."
-- James Bailey
Book Reviewer, Baseball America
Click here for the full article
some of the low points of the hometown team."
-- James Bailey
Book Reviewer, Baseball America
Click here for the full article
"Extremely unique... The author does a good job of splitting [the book] up and giving the reader different topics about the Dodgers to focus on throughout each chapter. Even if your team is not the Dodgers, all fans will be able to relate to Haddad’s thoughts, actions and words throughout the book."
-- Bill Jordan, Baseball Reflections.com Click here for the full article |
"High Fives is a huge success. Those Dodger teams were watched and loved and hated by millions of people. But nobody watched or loved those teams like Paul Haddad."
-- Eric Nusbaum, The Classical.org
Click here for the full article
-- Eric Nusbaum, The Classical.org
Click here for the full article
More High Fives for "High Fives"...
The Daily News' Tom Hoffarth rates the book a "stand-up triple" on his list of 30 baseball books... which is certainly better than an "intentional walk."
Check out my appearance on Larry Mantle's "AirTalk" show on 89.3 KPCC and hear bonus radio recordings.
NBC News in Los Angeles puts "High Fives" on its list of recommended SoCal reading.
Ever thought, "I could've written that book"? Apparently, so did this guy.
Franklin Avenue, one of my favorite blogs, spreads the gospel.
The Orange County Register: Dodger scribe Howard Cole contemplates the uncontemplatable... with a shout-out to the book. (I like his idea of everyone buying 18 copies!)
Los Angeles Daily News: Tom Hoffarth says the Dodgers will eventually be in a "No-Vin" situation, and solicits some thoughts from yours truly.
LA Observed: Kevin Roderick cites the book and a classic Fernandomania audio clip in honor of Opening Day 2012.
Los Feliz Ledger: Keeping it Local... A dandy article by Colleen Paeff in my neighborhood newspaper.
Bronx Banter: A celebration of Vin, ruminations on Reggie, and proof that Yankee fans and Dodger fans can just get along.
Dodger Thoughts: Jon Weisman's post about the book.
Vin Scully Is My Homeboy: Uber-blogger Roberto Baly writes it up!
Reviews of...
ESPN Films' 30 for 30: Fernando Nation...
in which I was featured and donated radio broadcasts from my collection of Fernando Valenzuela games
"Haddad's Dodgers obsession became ESPN's gift."
-- Chris Erskine, Los Angeles Times Click here for the full article "It's great to get a taste of Valenzuela's 8-0 start in 1981 thanks to longtime fan Paul Haddad's taped radio broadcasts from that year." -- Jimmy Bramlett, LAist.com "Remembering Fernando Valenzuela's burst into Major League baseball in 1981, longtime Dodgers fan Paul Haddad still sounds thrilled." -- Cynthia Fuchs, PopMatters Film and TV Editor |